Luminescent sign



July 28, 1942. 1 GOLDBERG I 2,291,467

I LUMINES CENT SIGN Filed Jan. 21, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 28, 1942 LUMINESCENT SIGN Solomon- L. Goldberg, New York, N. Y., assignor to Floray Corporation, Dallas, Tex,

tion of Texas a corpora- Application January 21, 1941, Serial No. 375,328

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to luminescent signs of the type comprising characters in the form of translucentgas-filled envelopes such as lass tubing or the like. More particularly, this invention is concerned with the utilization of electrodeless characters in association with an ener- I gizing field produced by a high frequency electrical source.

It is the primary object of the present invention to devise a sign or display device of the type just mentionedin which a plurality of individual characters such as letters or symbols maybe arranged and rearranged conveniently and quickly to form any one of a variety of luminous wordings r picturizations.

It has been proposed heretofore toenergize gasfilled tubes by placing them adjacent a series of conducting wires or in proximity to a conducting plate, and it likewise is old to construct a sign of luminous letters or symbols that are individually detachable and replaceable. However, due to defective construction and arrangement of parts, such signs have not been marketed successfully. In one old type of proposed sign the individual letter or symbol blockswhether elec-v trodeless or not-have themselves been provided with plugs or attachment elements requiring that they be mounted in definitely predetermined positions. In another type, embodying several proposed variations in design, electrodeless characters have been so arranged within a field produced by high frequency energization that they either light up non-uniformly, or weaken too rapidly in degree of luminosity, or are subject to both of these disadvantages.

In the present invention, on the other hand, a construction and arrangement of parts is provided wherein numerous individual letter or symbol characters may be interchanged and redisposed freely in an infinite number of positions simply by sliding them to and fro within a field charged by a high frequency source, while providing uniform and maximum luminescence for each gas-filled electrodeless envelope and without rapid deterioration of the envelopes which form parts of the characters.

One important feature of my invention resides in the novel construction of the character itself, and henceforth it follows that thi improvement is an object of my invention. Briefly, this improvement consists in a simple but effective mounting of the letter or symbol upon an individual block that may be shifted readily to an infinite number of positions.

tion resides in a system of parallel energized conducting strips, so interconnected, and arranged in such manner relative to gas-filled envelopes in an adjacent field that the envelopes are 11- luminated, uniformly, individually and with respect to each other.

It is anotherimportant object of this invention to devise, in apparatus of the character above discussed embodying a high frequency source and a panel-mounted conducting strip arrangement for creating an energizing field for luminescent elements, an improved set of electrical connections between the high frequency source and the strip arrangement.

There is yet another major object of my invention, consisting in the provision of an improved supporting and energizing structure for luminescent characters. More specifically, this object is accomplished through the use of a pair of parallel dielectric plates between which is disposed a plurality of energizing strips, one of the plates carrying a supporting member for luminescent characters, and all of the parts (excepting the freely movable characters) being held together by common fastening elements.

The foregoing objects, and other important and subordinate objects of the present invention should clearly appear from a study of the following detailed description when taken in con junction with the accompanying'drawingsand the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the entire apparatus of the present invention, as it might appear for example when set up in a store window for advertising purposes.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an individualdielectric block carrying a luminescent tube for use in the apparatus seen in Fig. 1.

- Fig. 3 represent a sectional view, taken sub stantially on the plane of line 3-3 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a view looking towards the front face of the apparatus of Fig. 1, with the panel structure removed toshow the electrical parts assembly that energizes the conducting strips.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken substantially along the plane of line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view looking outwardly from the electrical system towards the front panel structure to show the improved arrangement for connecting said system to the conducting strips.

7 Fig. '7 is a rear view of one of the panel elements and the conducting strips supported A further major object of the present inven- 5 thereby, as would be seen when looking in the front face, as shown at i8, 20.

direction of the arrows upon the plane of line 1-1 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 18 is a circuit diagramillustrating one preferred arrangement for energizing the conducting strips with high frequency current.

With continued reference to the drawings. wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts, the disclosed apparatus includes a mounting and concealing structure comprising, essentially, a main housing 10 forming a central box for reception of certain electrical parts and having a pair of integral wings II which extend to the right and left of itself. This unit is equipped with ventilating louvres, as shown, and is nicely decorated on its outer surfaces. Its only novelty, however, depth of the wings I i to present air spaces without which there would be electrical power losses from the energized strips (yet to be described) to the apparatus contained by the'main housing Ill, and to avoid electrical disturbances that might in several ways unbalance the even distribution of energy to the gas-filled elements that are constructed for facile rearrangement into many different positions. It is understood, of course, that the unit L, l I, is formed of thin sheet steel or other suitable metal, for otherwise this problem would not be presented.

The housing structure is shaped to present a forwardly facing continuous flange l2 to which the panel structure, or sign proper, is secured. The panel structure comprises a dielectric back plate i3 and a similar dielectric front plate l4, between which there is a set of horizontally arranged parallel-strips of conducting ribbon IS, the latter being tacked or otherwise attached to the plate l3. These plates may be formed of "Masonite" or other suitable materialfand the front plate preferably is given a glossy or decorative coating l6. This rectangular panel structure is surrounded by a rectangular frame H, which except at its bottom edge is flanged at the The fourth side of the frame I! is completed by a separate horizontal strip of metal 2|, shaped to afford a supporting ledge 22 for luminescent characters yet to be described. This panel structure and frame assemblage is united to the flanges l2 by screws 23, or any equivalent elements. Prior, however, to attachment of the assemblage to the main housing, the panel structure is made in effect a one-piece unit, as follows.

After tacking or cementing the thin metal ribbons I5 to the plate E3, the two plates l3 and I4 are brought into coincidence and secured tightly together by several screws 24 which pass through them and partially into a horizontal strip 25, of wood or the like, that engages the plate surface I6 to form a second ledge for supporting a second row of letters or symbols. Two pairs of vertically offset holes 21 are drilled through or otherwise formed in the back plate l3. Now, or just prior to the last operation, into these holes are inserted the four horizontal legs of a pair of relatively rigid U-shaped conducting bars .26. The holes, it will be perceived, are directly behind certain of the metal ribbons l5, so that upon running suflicient solder 28 into the holes to fill the latter and surround the legs of the bars 26, the bars are electrically connected to four of the ribbons and simultaneously firmly anchored to the panel structure. Wires 30 are connected to the bars 26 for subsequent connection to'a source of high frequency current.

Now, by simply sliding the panel structure is thought to reside in sufiicient' into the three sided portion of the frame ll, adding the bottom 2| of the frame and uniting this assemblage to the flanges l2, the front face of the sign is complete andready for reception of a plurality of luminous characters such as those seen in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5. The characters may comprise words or symbols but for most practical purposes consist of individual letter units that may be transposed and arranged to spell out words or sentences. Each preferably is constructed as follows.

A fiat block 3| of dielectric material such as hardened plastic, of a thickness causing it to fit either of the ledges 22, 25 rather snugly so that its fiat back will make contact with the plate I4, is provided with one or more holes 32 (normally two). A letter in the form of a gasfilled sealed tube 33 is shaped and designed for attachment to this block. The tube may be of transparent or translucent glass or similar material and .its contained gas may consist of any of those commonly used or usable in signs of this type. The letter has one or more rearwardly offset projections 34,0f a length slightlyless than or approximately equal to the depth of the holes be obtained and any dark metallic deposits from the gases can be concentrated to a large extent within the non-visible prongs 34.

Each letter 33 is attached permanently to its supporting block 3| by partially filling the holes 32 with a hardening cement 35 prior to insertion of the prongs 34. In addition, a transparent cement 36 may be placed at various points where the letter contacts the block. The characters thus formed may be arranged readily, within the economical limitation of a few dozen units, to spell out various words and groups of words. For example, a small sign within a shop window may be rearranged frequently--something that is impossible without relatively great expense at the present time. It will be understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the field of small signs, but may be adopted in very large frequently modified signs such as those used on theatre" fronts and the like.

The arrangement of the metallic ribbons or strips i5 is quite important. Obviously, it may be carried forward into a system embodying three or more rows of characters, but basically it is constituted as follows. Each row of characters is energized. by a plurality of stripspreferably three-and two of these strips are interconnected electrically, as at 31' by wire or a short piece of conducting ribbon. Thus there are formed at least two pairs of joined strips and at least two single strips. The two pairs of joined strips are connected to each other and to one side of the energizing line by one of the bars 26, and the two single strips are conjointly connected to the other side of the line. Although this arrangement is not essential to produce fairly satisfactory luminescence of the tubes it has proven superior, by prolonged trial and experimentation, to any other arrangement tried by the applicant. Such matquency current required to energize the sets of strips IS. A very satisfactory circuit. built as a unit to be inserted through the rear side of the housing and connected to the bars 26, is as follows. A pair of conventional lead wires 40, H, as from the usual 110 v. source, are connected through a transformer T to an oscillating tube and a coil C. The terminals 30 of the coil 0 are disposed adjacent the bars 28 and connected thereto as previously described. The transformer T comprises a primary winding :1 and two secondaries s1 and 8:, as shown. The secondary 81 produces a high voltage of, say, 300 v. or more and is connected to, the plate of the tube and through a choke c1 and a condenser cz'to two intermediate portions of the coil C, as indicated. The secondary 3:, of much lower voltage, is connected to the filament of the tube 0 and thence to another intermediate portionof the coil C. The grid of the triode tube 0 is connected as shown, through a grid leak GL to one of the terminals 30 of the coil C. This arrangement supplies uniform energization to the wires 30 and hence maintains substantially invariable current and voltage within the set of strips it.

It should be understood that the present invention is not circumscribed by the specific illustrations and the detailed description, but that numerouschanges may be made within the scope and spirit of the invention. Many alterations and equivalents will be obvious to those skilled in the art and therefore I wish to be limited, as is customary, only by those restrictions which necessarily must be read into the appended claims in view of .the .prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. A display unit or panel structure for luminescent signs comprising a pair of dielectric panels disposed back to back with a flat electrical conducting means therebetween, means fastening said conducting means to one of said panels, a

strip for supporting the luminescent characters adjacent the display side of the unit, and means projected through the front panel and joining said strip to the back panel to thus unite the four enumerated parts and closely confine said conducting means.

2. In the structure defined in claim 1, said panels being rectangular, a three-sided frame designed to slidably receive the edges of the muted panels, and a rigid strip designed to form the fourth side of the frame and to provide another support for luminescent characters.

3. An energizing device for luminescent signs, comprising a dielectric panel having at least four spaced conducting strips attached to one face thereof, at least four apertures extending through the panel at points directly behind said strips, a pair of relatively stiil' substantially U-shaped connecting elements arranged at the rear face of the panel with their legs projected into said apertures, and chunks of soldering material substantially filling said apertures and uniting said legs to said strips.

4. A luminescent sign comprising a metal box having a central housing provided with oflset wings, the housing and wings designed to afford a front opening for the box, a display panel structure closing said opening and comprising a pair of dielectric panels separated by an energizing device designed to illuminate any gas-filled tubing'disposed at the front face of the structure, high frequency electrical apparatus mounted within said central housing and having direct forward connections through the rear panel to said energizing device, said wings having sufficient depth to form air gaps between the .panel structure and the rear side of the box, and said energizing device being so constructed and arranged as to be spaced inwardly from all edges of said front opening of the box.

SOLOMON L. GOLDBERG. 

